VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



By L. W. H. 




Class i^ ' ^ fiS^ 
(k)pyrightN«__/^V_^ 




t-^^^i/JLvJAutif 



Verses of a Short Life 

Poems and Poetical Quips of 
Lewis Woodruff Hornblower 

(1883-1913) 



/Sf-'Hsny 



Edited by G/s/He^M^-uA^-^ 



New York 

George H. Doran Company 

MCMXIV 






Copyright, 19x4 
By KATHERINE BELDEN HORNBLOWBR 



APR \6 \m 



>C!,A371345 



'He who could breathe the incense of the East 
Listen to music of the Southern palms. 
Thrill at the thunders of our Western strife 
And glimpse the frozen glitter of the North, 
Could walk with sages on Parnassus slopes, 
Gaze upon Eleusynian mysteries. 
Romp with the young Olympians at play 
And stroll in palace gardens of bright clouds- 
Would you ask him to plod the travelled path. 
Straight and unswerving, deaf to wildwood calls. 
Closing his eyes to flowers along the edge, 
Steeling his heart against fair frolic's lures? 

Your life is not the route for such a one; 
Your guide-posts merely mock him riddlewise; 
Your rules are not the vestments that will fit 
The lithe, quick-darting movements of his soul. 
He wearies on your smoothest, proudest street; 
He sickens where your dull, gray pavement runs; 
And, tho* he help you drive your market-wain. 
Bending him to the work with honest zeal — 
One moment's pause; his heart breaks, and he dies. 



Think of him as the bearer of a cup 
Wherein the vdne of being, seething up. 
Sparkled with iridescence as it flowed 
To warm his fellow travellers of the road. 
To cheer the jaded, animate the dull — 
His heart, the cup, alas no longer full." 

Ationymous 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



CONTENTS 

Page 

Memoir and Preface (by the Editor) 9 

Memory*^ 17 

Invocation*^ 19 

Not in the Moonlight^ 21 

The Storm Birds *^ 23 

In Dreams Alone . 25 

The Toast*'' 27 

Prince Ahmed 28 

Sailing^ 31 

The North Pole *^ 33 

A Slight Mistake*'' 35 

Change** 37 

Contra Elegiam*'' 39 

The Mirage ** 41 

Fanatics*'' 43 

The Sylvan Dance ** 45 

Fragment 47 

[5] 



CONTENTS 

Page 

A Skirt Dance ........ 48 

She Smiles ^ 49 

A Landscape 51 

Resignation** 52 

A Boy Poet's First Song 54 

Another Juvenile Effort 56 

With a Guitar* 59 

Lawrenceville 1900 Class Ode* .... 60 

"OUa Podrida" Dedication f .... 63 

On a Greek Condition 65 

The Elect 67 

Plato Versified 68 

Narcissus (to a He-Heroine) 71 

On a Course of Lectures 73 

"Ode" to a Friend 74 

A Flippant Letter 75 

Betrayed by a Dream 80 

Supplanted 81 

One Bathing Suit 83 

Translation from Tennyson 86 

A Rash Betrothal 87 

Sans Gene Philosophy '^ 9° 

[6] 



CONTENTS 

Page 

A Scene at the Khan 93 

Book First of Lucretius 100 

An Ode of Horace^ 115 

From the Anacreontics 117 

After Sophocles^ 119 

A Letter Home^ 121 

As Sunset Dies 124 

Thalassa 126 



X Published in "The Wooing of Boreas and Other Poems 
by L.W.H.," Bonnell, Silver & Bowers, New York, 1904; 

* Originally published in the "Lawrenceville Literary 
Magazine," edited by the students at Lawrenceville, N. J., 
1898-1900; 

t Published in the "011a Podrida," issued by the grad- 
uating class of Lawrenceville School, June, igoo. 
[7] 



MEMOIR AND PREFACE 

Lewis Woodruff Hornblower, who died sud- 
denly August 22nd, 1913, was born in New York 
City, April 15th, 1883, the eldest son of William 
Butler Hornblower and the late Susan (C.) San- 
ford Hornblower. 

From 1894 to 1896 he attended the Chapin Col- 
legiate School in New York and, in the autumn of 
1896, he entered Lawrenceville School at Lawrence- 
ville. New Jersey. There he studied for four years 
and took some scholarship honors and a debating 
prize. In his last year at school he was Editor-in- 
chief of the Lawrenceville Literary Magazine and 
also Class Poet. He graduated from Lawrenceville 
in June, 1900, and entered Princeton University 
the following September. At college, though he 
won a prize for extemporaneous speaking in the 
Cliosophic Society, he did not seek any honors, 
choosing to devote most of his time to independent 
reading, especially of history. In June, 1904, he re- 
ceived his degree of A.B. from Princeton. He en- 
tered the Columbia University Law School the next 
autumn, but, finding jurisprudence an uncongenial 
study, abandoned it after a few weeks. 

For about a year thereafter he travelled in Eu- 
rope, keenly enjoying Mediterranean scenery and 
[9] 



MEMOIR AND PREFACE 



Italian art and continuing his historical reading 
to advantage. Upon his return to this coun- 
try, he took up the study of architecture; and 
tiie next seven years of his life were spent in work- 
ing as an architect, except for short periods in 
other lines of work and various periods when he 
was travelling or when his health was not good. 

On October 28th, 1908, at Litchfield, Connecti- 
cut, Mr. Hornblower was married to Katherine 
Webster Belden, eldest daughter of the late Dr. 
and Mrs. Charles O. Belden. 

In the Summer of 191 2, he entered the employ of 
the Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railway as an ac- 
countant in the auditing department at Johnson 
City, Tennessee, He and his wife had a house 
built there from plans drawn by him, and they were 
living in this house at the time of his death. He 
was much interested in his work for the railway 
company and his superiors valued his services 
highly, speaking in enthusiastic terms of his indus- 
try, his quickness and his originality. 

In the evenings, when his duties were over, 
he amused himself by writing a history of Rome 
and the translation from Lucretius, which he left 
unfinished at the time of his death. He also wrote 
a translation of Dionysius' "Roman Antiquities," 
some essays, and a few short stories; and he com- 
piled many tables and charts throwing light on 
different subjects of history and science. 

Among Lewis Hornblower's acquaintances he 
[10] 



MEMOIR AND PREFACE 



was noted for his affectionate nature, originality 
of intellect and naive, impractical sayings and do- 
ings, traits which have been well summed up in 
the comment of a distinguished writer, once a 
teacher of his, that "Lewis had a touch of un- 
worldliness about him." 

How his intimate friends felt about his charac- 
ter is, perhaps, best to be seen in the following 
passages of a letter from a college classmate: 

"No one was closer to Lewis than I in the days 
at Princeton, and I believe that few understood 
him as well. . . . No man has failed who has left 
such an enduring monument of genuine affection. 
. . . His friends are even now telling over his 
brilliant gifts and his endearing qualities, as they 
will never cease to do wherever they are gathered 
together. His place in our class at college was 
unique. Intellectually he commanded the admira- 
tion, personally he won the affection of all about 
him. There are many of us who might vanish 
from the life of the class and our disappearance 
pass almost unnoticed; but it can be said of Lewis 
that our undergraduate life would have been ma- 
terially different without his presence. And it is 
for the qualities which have made this so, that he 
will be remembered and beloved always." 

His associates in one of the clubs at Princeton 
witnessed their remembrance of him in the follow- 
ing minutes: 

"The members of the Princeton Charter Club de- 
[II] 



MEMOIR AND PREFACE 



sire to express their heartfelt sorrow at the death 
of Lewis Woodruff Hornblower, '04. 

"Those who knew him in undergraduate days at 
Princeton will carry with them always the memory 
of his rare personality. 

"He was a dreamer by nature, with the instincts 
of a poet and a marked fondness for reading, but 
intensely responsive to the human side of lifeu 
Endowed with an exceptional mind, he enhanced 
the attractiveness of his gifts by his simplicity of 
manner and his total lack of self-consciousness. 
His sympathies were quick and unfailing, espe- 
cially when enlisted in the interests of a friend, 
whether in cheerful activities or in time of trouble. 

"We shall remember him. always as the most 
lovable of companions, the most loyal of friends. 

"It is the wish of the Club that this memorial be 
spread upon the minutes of the Board of Gov- 
ernors, and that a copy be sent to his family. — 

Archibald McI. Strong, '04, 
John A. Stewart, 3rd, '05, 
G. Bartram Woodruff, '04, 
Oliver C. Re3molds, '04, 
William Balch Todd, Jr., '03, 
Committee." 

This book is printed at the request of many 
friends, who value these souvenirs of "Lev" 
and believe that most of his poems have in- 
trinsic merit. The author was inclined to dis- 
[12] 



MEMOIR AND PREFACE 



parage his own work, and he had no part in the 
publication of "The Wooing of Boreas and Other 
Poems by L. W. H.," a limited edition of his juve- 
nile writings issued in 1904 by Bonnell, Silver & 
Bowers of New York, at the friendly instance of 
Mr. Elmer B. Silver. Lewis never revised any of 
the poems for printing and, indeed, he took little 
care to preserve his manuscripts. In consequence, 
many of his cleverest things have disappeared, 
among them some lines, written on a piece of paper 
less than an inch square, wherein the scrap ap- 
pealed not to be thrown away. The bulk of the 
poems in this book would probably have been lost 
long ago except for the appreciative interest of a 
classmate, Archibald M. Strong, who in 1904 per- 
suaded the author to write out for him a fairly com- 
plete collection of the verses composed up to that 
time. The book containing that collection has been 
used in the preparation of this, and Dr. Strong has 
given valuable co-operation in the editing. 

The poems have been arranged herein, not ac- 
cording to any set demarcations, yet with some re- 
gard to their natural grouping. For instance, flip- 
pancies of college days will be found in one group 
and translations from the classics in another. Triv- 
ial things and boyish, imperfect items have been 
included for the sake of their personal interest. 
Slight modifications of the wording and several 
changes of the titles have been made, according to 
the editor's belief (founded on intimate knowledge 
[ 13 ] 



MEMOIR AND PREFACE 



of the author) as to how the various items would 
have been revised, if the author himself had ever 
been induced to arrange for their publication. 

The whole may serve as Lewis Homblower's 
posthumous contribution to the treasury • of 
thoughts, feelings and expressions available for 
the brightening of the life of his fellows in a work- 
a-day world. The quickening influence of a live 
personality is ended; but much of the charm of 
that personality can, it is hoped, be gathered from 
these writings. 

G. S. H. 

New York City, January 22nd, 1914. 



[14] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



L. W. H. 



MEMORY 

H, Memory, come, take me in thy boat, 
*- Thy gilded shell upon the waves of time ; 
And silently and calmly let us float 
Back to the past sublime. 
The shadowy past of poetry and rhyme — 
Come Memory! 

IN very truth thou art a magic queen, 
Ruling a kingdom vast though, undefined ; 
Thou who canst show me faces I have seen. 
And open eyes now blind, 
And let me live the life that's left behind — 
Strange Memory! 

FOR thou hast potent charms, that seem to 

throw 
A glamour o'er the past before my sight. 
That mellows, sweetens even grievous woe 
And makes all pleasures bright, 
Until they glow with soft, delicious light — 
Sweet Memory! 

[17] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

MEMORY (continued) 

SO, while I drift with thee from spot to spot, 

Bring forth thy visions welcome to mine eyes; 

Those scenes but half remembered, half for- 
got, 

Where shadowy figures rise, 

That dream-like fade and leave me but their 
sighs — 
Vague Memory! 

WHY wilt thou ever whisper as we fly 
That this is all unreal and truth is stem? 
Why wilt thou ever mourn for times gone by. 
Times that will not return? 
And must I ever long and ever yearn. 
Sad Memory? 

AY, truth is stern and all must fade away; 
Thy dreams and mystic visions must depart. 
So waft me back into the light of day. 
I know not what thou art; 
But this I know, that thou wilt tear my heart, 
Oh Memory! 

(1900.) 

[18] 



L. W. H. 



o 



INVOCATION 

NCE more the sunrise summons us to toil; 

We leave our rest. 
Once more we tread the old familiar soil 

With memories blest. 
Far-off is triumph; near disaster waits 

With mien forlorn. 
Yet may we never falter at the gates, 

But bold press on. 
Lord God of might, be Thou our light 

While yet we live. 



AS through the cycle of revolving years 

Each danger's passed, 
Lord save us from our many doubts and 
fears 
Until the last. 
With Thy great power may we temptation 
brave ; 
Then, victory won, 

[19] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

INVOCATION (continued) 

Oh, grant that we may sink into our grave, 

Our duty done. 
Lord God of might, be Thou our light 

While yet we live. 

(1899.) 



[20] 



L. W. H. 



NOT IN THE MOONLIGHT 



N 



OT in the moonlight shall we love, 
Where treacherous shadows play; 

But rather the glorious sun above 
In the generous light of day. 

Where breezes of early morning move, 
Tossing thy locks astray. 



NOT in the dance, the sensuous waltz. 
Where subtle emotions blow. 

Breathing an incense utterly false; 
But down where the daisies grow. 

To gallop together o'er hills and malls, 
Thy delicate cheeks aglow. 

NOT mid the strains of the sad guitar 

Or tinkling mandolin; 
But, while the organ resounds afar, 

I'd gaze on thy lifted chin 
And drink, as the planet from the star, 

The warmth of thy soul within. 

[21] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

NOT IN THE MOONLIGHT (continued) 

AND not with passionate words I'd show 
The strength of my love for thee; 

For speech is feeble and words are slow, 
While the wings of the soul are free ; 

But just by a press of the hand — to know, 
And a glance of the eyes — to see. 

(1902.) 



[22] 



L. W. H. 



w 



THE STORM BIRDS 

HEN storm clouds hang o'er the raging 

sea. 

And the black waves dash up angrily, 
Tossing their white crests to and fro, 
To sink again in the depths below; 
When the thunder rolls and the wild winds 

cry 
With a dismal moan, — ^then the sea gulls 

fly 
Like a fleet of ships on the rolling ocean. 
Rising and falling with ceaseless motion, 
They tack to right and to left, then sail 
With white wings fluttering, into the gale. 
For they love the storm and the ocean's 

roar 
With the ardor of warriors going to war. 
And their screams, amid the lightning's 

flash 



[23] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



THE STORM BIRDS (continued) 

And the howling wind and the thunder- 
crash, 
Ring like the piercing war-cry, clear 
*Mid the din of the battle, far and near. 



THUS fly the sea-gulls; and oft I think, 
As I watch them over the ocean's brink, 
That these wild lovers of storm and strife 
Are the souls of the vikings gone from 

life- 
Homeless and restless, and wild and free. 
Ever to roam o'er the boundless sea. 

(1900.) 



[34] 



L. W. H. 



IN DREAMS ALONE 

N my dreams alone can I love you, 

In the vast, vague realms of sleep — 
From the babbling world remove you. 

To myself as a treasure keep. 
Your words and your lightning glances. 

That shoot to the heart like fire — 
These are mine in the realm of fancies; 

There alone thou art mine, Heart's Desire. 



I 



ON the crowded lawn I can watch you. 

As you move with a queenly grace. 
And the sunbeams strive to match you. 

In the glory that lights your face. 
I can drink in the beams that enfold you, 

I can steal from your eye heaven's fire — 
But only in dreams can I hold you 

To my breast, there alone. Heart's Desire. 



[25] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

IN DREAMS ALONE (continued) 

QUEEN of love, as you move in your 
garden, 

Do the breezes caress your hair? 
Do the slim blades of grass cry pardon 

To be trod by a foot so fair? 
Does the rose shed her dew in showers? 

Do the birds h5niin in gentler choir? 
Does the pollen burst out from the flowers 

At sight of thee, Heart's Desire? 



THERE'S a brook where I sit and ponder. 

As I gaze in its limpid stream 
I feel that your face grows fonder, 

And your eyes with an echo gleam. 
An echo to my affection — 

None to see, none to seek, none to hear — 
I can love you without detection 

In my brook there alone. Most Dear. 

(1911.) 



[26] 



L. W. H. 



I 



THE TOAST 

RAISED the goblet in the air. 
With its heart of shining gold. 
What is the wine that sparkles there? 
Is it gay champagne, or Madeira fair? 
Or Falemian, famed of old? 



"A TOAST, my friend, I'll drink to you!' 

As I lifted the goblet up. 
But the wine had lost its brilliant hue — 
'Twas merely a glittering drop of dew; 

And the glass was a buttercup. 
(•0061) 



[27] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



I 



PRINCE AHMED 

NTO the starry night, 

Beneath the deep celestial bowl, 
Prince Ahmed led his maiden bright, 

And there dissolved his soul. 
No sigh breathed on the wind, 

Nor lisp came from the sea ; 
The moon behind a cloud was blind; 

The earth slept silently. 



BLACK loomed the castle walls; 

Above, a million stars did shine ; 
While dimly from the distant halls 

They heard a zither pine. 
Her lips with incense breathed. 

Full tender was her look — 
He with one glance his heart bequeathed, 

And by a touch he took. 



[28] 



L. W. H. 



PRINCE AHMED (continued) 

NO words were spoken then; 

No words they ever spoke before; 
But nightwinds from the darkened glen 

A whispered message bore. 
Others had pleaded much; 

His deeds alone could call. 
He wooed her with a silent touch 

And by a glance told all. 



WHAT battles cried their tale 

To her, beside the tinseled sea? 
How many toils, and dangers pale 

That would not uttered be? 
What had these labors been 

That could such passion wake? 
With a touch he drew the screen 

And by a glance he spake. 



HIDE them in purple shade, 
O mantle eloquent with stars ! 

Thou wast for sweet persuasion made : 
No word thy meaning mars. 

[29] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

PRINCE AHMED (continued) 

Under the hallowed night, 

Ere yet the music failed, 
Prince Ahmed led his maiden bright 

And there his soul unveiled. 

(1912.) 



[30] 



L. W. H. 



SAILING 

SOLEMN silence broods o*er the bay 
'' As we skim along; 
And slowly die the sounds of the day. 
Save only the breakers moaning away 
Their ceaseless song. 



I CAN see her stretched with careless grace 

In the bow, at ease. 
All wrapped in thought, with an upturned face 

To the evening breeze — 
A profile the dying sunbeams trace 
On the cold gray sky, where the bright clouds 
race 

Like a golden fleece. 



THE fitful breezes are blowing her hair 

In a shower of gold. 
So thoughtful, silent, so cold, so fair, 

Like a Valkyre of old. 

[31] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

SAILING (continued) 

She drinks deep drafts of the cool salt air; 
The spray flies up, but she does not care, 
For only God and the sea are there — 
God and the sea are ever5rwhere — 
Her heart is wrapped in unconscious prayer, 
And her thoughts untold. 

(1902.) 



C3«] 



L. W. H. 



THE NORTH POLE 

A LL dark and cold, mysterious, sublime, 
-^^ She sits upon the summit of the earth. 
Where she will be until the end of time. 
And has been since its birth. 

A CORSELET smooth, of ice, unbroken, 
bright, 
Girdeth her breasts in curves that every- 
where 
Reflect and radiate in golden light 
Her locks of waving hair. 

THE dark folds of her purple mantle float, 
Set with a thousand diamonds, wide and 
far; 
And one bright diamond clasps it to her 
throat — 
The gleaming polar star. 



[33] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

THE NORTH POLE (continued) 

AND, siren-like, she lures men on to death — 
Brave mariners, who fear not sea nor sky. 

She breathes upon them with her icy breath ; 
In solitude they die. 



DESTRUCTION waits the bold, who seek 
to know 
Her secrets, or to look upon her face — 
Except the dull, unthinking Esquimo, 
Her own peculiar race. 

(1900.) 



[34] 



L. W. H. 



A SLIGHT MISTAKE 

"^HE waves roared loud and the waves dashed 

high, 
And madly leapt to a scowling sky. 
The ship rolled round in the trough of the 

sea. 
And the crew were as drunk as a crew could 

be. 
"Steer to the north," the captain said, 
"By the polar star there swinging ahead." 
The pilot looked ; but he saw no star 
Save one, gleaming bright in the mist afar. 
He bore hard-a-port, the pilot he. 
And the rest bore port till they couldn't see ; 
And the north star brighter and brighter 

grew 
Till it seemed that the sun had hove in view. 
"It may be drink, or it may be dreams," 
Said the pilot at last, "but blast my beams 
If I steer by that blooming star any more — 

[35] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

A SLIGHT MISTAKE (continued) 

No, not if the currents heave us ashore." 
Then the captain cursed, and he gripped the 

wheel, 
And swung up his ship on the end of her 

keel; 
And the rays of the north star, gleaming 

bright, 
Were cutting the fog to the left and right. 
Then all at once, from the mist ahead 
Came the booming of breakers, rhythmic, 

dread ! 
The spray dashed high on the light-house 

wall, 
Standing cold and gray — and that is all. 

(1900.) 



[36] 



L. W. H. 



I 



CHANGE 

SAW a warrior at dawn of day. 

Standing with folded arms upon the shore. 
I turned to watch him ere I went my way — 

This man of rugged war. 

IN admiration bound I paused to ga^e 
Upon his massive form and noble mien; 

Upon the scars that marred his swarthy face, 
So fearlessly serene. 

"O MAN of war! O tower of strength!" I 
mused, 

"Thy mighty limbs the storms of life defy. 
Inured to hardships and to blows well used, 

Could'st thou decay or die?" 



[37] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

CHANGE (continued) 

AS sunset came, there wandered o'er the 
sands 
A frail man, withered, bent with weight of 
years. 
Who leaned upon the cane between his 
hands, 
Oppressed by childish fears. 



AND in this tottering, aged man I saw 
The warrior who in strength and grandeur 
stood 

(It could not be so many years before) 
Beside this very wood. 



YES, thus must strength and beauty fade 
away. 
All that is lovely, all that seemeth high. 
Thus everything must falter and decay. 
Rise, shine, then fade and die. 

(1898.) 



[38] 



L. W. H. 



CONTRA ELEGIAM 

"SOME village Hampden that with dauntless breast 
The little tyrant of his fields withstood, 

Some mute, inglorious Milton here may rest. 
Some Cromwell, guiltless of his coimtry's blood." 

— Gray's Elegy. 



N 



O genius ever dragged a silent life 
Inglorious from the cradle to the grave, 

Apart from manly thought and manly strife, 
Unmindful of the honor he should crave. 

NO Cromwell, when he heard the stirring 
din 

That marked the raging conflict far away, 
Would crush the ardor of his heart within 

And live secluded from his country's fray. 

NO Milton, in a quiet rustic town, 
Would dwell unspeaking while the plan- 
ets roll — 

All heedless of ambition's call, to drown 
The noblest inspirations of his soul. 

[39] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

CONTRA ELEGIAM (continued) 

OFT from the humblest, lowliest ranks of 
men, 
Those with the hearts of heroes upward 
press 
And reach the summit after toil and pain, 
Where Glory waits to herald their suc- 
cess. 

(1897.) 



[40] 



L. W. H. 



THE MIRAGE 

^HE sinking sunbeams glisten on the sands; 

The desert stretches wide in golden light ; 
And far away the distant caravans 

Wind ever on, and disappear from sight 
Where flocks of fleecy clouds are skimming 
past 

To sink and settle in the west at last. 



BUT lo, the heavens seem to burst in flame ! 

Wildly the hordes of Islam hasten on, 
Shouting afar their warlike prophet's name. 

They sweep along beneath the setting sun, 
They pass with trampling steeds and clang 

of arms, 
While earth re-echoes with their wild alarms. 



AND now the crimson mellows into gold. 
Vast cities seem to stretch from sea to sea, 

[41] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

THE MIRAGE (continued) 

In pomp of glory and of wealth untold — 

A scene of oriental luxury. 
And dome-crowned mosques and palaces 

arise 
'Mid palms and gardens green against the 
skies. 

SLOWLY the gold dissolves; the cities fall; 

The gilded scene now softly fades away. 
Here stands a column, or a shattered wall, 

While all the rest has vanished with the 
day. 
At last these very remnants disappear; 
The silent desert stretches dark and drear. 

THUS, O Arabia! was thy sudden rise, 

Thy wealth, thy grandeur, and thy swift 

decline. 

And thou hast left few relics for our eyes — 

Yet one attests thy grandeur to mankind ; 

The great Alhambra stands at this late 

hour 
The last and noblest s3mibol of thy power. 

(1899.) 
[423 



L. W. H. 



FANATICS 

A CCURSED they stand, a lonely band, 
-^^ From age to age. 

Long have they borne the brunt of scorn, 
Contempt, and rage. 



THEY saw life through a crooked view; 

This was the crime 
For which they bled, toiled, suffered, fled 

In every clime. 

THEY dared to fight for what was right. 

As they believed. 
They shut their ears to all the jeers 

Which they received. 

THEIR bodies wet with blood and sweat, 

They did not swerve; 
And Heaven knows they bore their blows 

With iron nerve. 

[43] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

FANATICS (continued) 

THEY sowed the seeds of mighty deeds 

Both good and bad, 
While those that saw looked on in awe 

And called them mad. 



TOO great a flood of such fierce blood 

Might wreck mankind ; 
Yet they inspire the world with fire, 

Zeal unconfined. 

(1900.) 



[44] 



L. W. H. 



D 



THE SYLVAN DANCE 

ARK shadows fall upon the woods, 

The silver moon comes forth ; 
The bright stars rival in their light 

The streamers of the north. 

THERE is a grassy forest glade 
Whereon the moon shines down. 

And casts a widening spell of light 
That circles it around. 

AND here the jovial satyrs dance 

Within the laughing light. 
And join the graceful forest nymphs. 

Who come in robes of white. 

THE wood scene glows and spsirkles bright. 

Rich music fills the air. 
And sweetly, gayly glide about 

The jocund and the fair. 



[45] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

THE SYLVAN DANCE (continued) 

THEY turn, they whirl in joyous throng ; 

The nymphs and satyrs sing; 
And cheery are the mystic rites 

Within the magic ring. 

THEN slower, slower grows the dance; 

The light begins to wane; 
The music softens now, and swells, 

And dies away again. 

OH, softly, softly breathe and watch ; 

The dance is growing slow, 
And sadly dim the shadows flit, 

And gently fades the glow. 

THE sylvan bells have died away ; 

The moonlit glade is cleared; 
The sat3n:s and the forest nymphs 

Alike have disappeared. 

HOW quickly all bright visions come 

And quickly flee away; 
Yet often leave within the heart 
Balm for another day. 

(1898.) 
[46] 



L. W. H. 



FRAGMENT 

GOLDEN gleam was lying 
•^ Along the darkling bay; 
A distant song was dying, 

From halls across the way; 
There was a soft caress, it seemed. 

Within the very air; 
And on the spot a dream I dreamed. 
Supremely sweet, divinely fair. 

(1910.) 



[47] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



H 



A SKIRT DANCE 

OW gracefully the silken bands 

Alternately open and close, 
Widen into their separate strands 

And delicately expose 
The rounded limbs, as the curve expands ; 

Then sink into rival rows. 



ON, on, dance on, swing round the lace, 

The lace that baffles me 
Like tantalizing clouds that chase 

Over the bay, and fitfully 
Shut it before the mariner's face. 

Home-gazing wistfully. 

(1902.) 



[48] 



L. W. H. 



SHE SMILES 

'HE smiles. Those sweet responsive eyes 
Light up; the dimples slowly spread; 

And flashes forth in gay surprise 
The very hair around her head. 

AH, who can such a spell withstand? 

Along the keyboard of the heart, 
Like notes beneath some master hand, 

A thousand wild sensations dart. 

CHROMATICS piercing, sharp and weird, 
Through tremulos of pure delight. 

Ere dancing runs have disappeared 
In minors, yearning infinite. 

WHILE passion's thundering chords re- 
sound, 

Arpeggios of fear sweep past 
Until the slow retard brings 'round 

Soft, dulcet cadences, at last. 

[49] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

SHE SMILES (continued) 

DOES fear or wild desire excel? 

Does joy predominate or pain? 
I know not ; but the echoes swell 

With sweet contentment in their train. 

(1903.) 



[50] 



L. W. H. 



N 



A LANDSCAPE 

OW Winter has unbound her tossing locks, 
The snow hangs to the mountain's flanks; 
The dismal forest groans and rocks, 
The hoary cliff withstands the shocks 

Of crested ocean's charging ranks ; 
The little rill, beneath its glassy coat. 
Hides from the blast, with quaintly gurgling 
throat. 

(1904.) 



[51] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



w 



RESIGNATION 

E wandered o'er the meadows fair, 

We wandered o'er the lea, 
She with her loose and waving hair 

And grace so wild and free. 
Roll ever on, ye little brook, 

And roll right merrily ; 
For we alone are all the world 

And she is all for me. 



THEY wandered o'er the meadows fair, 

They wandered o'er the lea ; 
And she had bound her waving hair. 

And lost that grace so free. 
Roll sadly on, ye little brook. 

Yea, roll on wearily ; 
For there are others in the world 

And she's no more for me. 



[53] 



L. W. H. 



RESIGNATION (continued) 

AND yet 'tis better so, perhaps; 

For frank and brave is he. 
The eighteenth summer ever saps 

A grace so wild and free. 
So let them wander hand in hand, 

A happy pair to see, 
And leave me lonely with my pipe — 

She*s far too good for me. 

(1900.) 



[53] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



H 



A BOY POET'S FIRST SONG 

URRAH ! the Roman corpses 

Lie in the forest far. 
Hurrah! for Varus mounts no more 

In a triumphal car. 

HURRAH ! the Romans tried to yoke 

Two lions to the plough; 
The lions broke their puny bonds — 

Where are the Romans now? 

HURRAH for brave Arminius! 

Who led us to the fight, 
The Suevians and Cheruskians, 

For freedom just and right. 

HURRAH ! the news was brought to Rome; 

The Imperator saw 
And heard the fatal message 

That Varus was no more. 

[54] 



L. W. H. 



A BOY POET'S FIRST SONG (continued) 

THEN Octavius Augustus 

Against the unmoved wall 
Smote thrice his head and cried aloud 

In anguish through the hall: 
"Varus! Varus! give me 

Back my legions. Varus." 

(1894.) 



[55] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



ANOTHER JUVENILE EFFORT 



R 



OSY-FINGERED Aurora appears 
High over ^tolia's hills; 

Dewy morning discloses a maiden 
Thinking tearfully over her ills. 



FROM her beautiful cheek the soft West- 
wind, 

Sweet Zephyrus, brushes a tear, 
And as he sweeps over her shoulder 

He speaks words of love in her ear. 

"COOL West- wind, thy breezes console me; 

Waft the sorrow away from my heart. 
Fan my cheek, O Favonius! I love thee; 

From thee I wish never to part." 

BUT Zephyr's amours to the maiden 
Are stayed by a terrible noise — 

The keen piercing blast of the North-wind, 
And the sound of a moaning, hoarse voice. 
[56] 



L. W. H. 



ANOTHER JUVENILE EFFORT (continued) 

"O MAIDEN!" the voice sounded gruffly, 
"O maiden; come thou and be mine." 

'Twas wild Boreas who frightened the damsel 
As she sprang from her pleasant recline. 



"I LOVE thee, O maiden, I love thee. 
No harm from me thou'lt receive; 

Come ! come to my home in the northland, 
With pleasures thou canst not perceive." 

BUT the maiden called, and called loudly, 
On Zeus, the all-father, to save. 

And vainly mild Zephyrus struggled. 
Little help to the maiden he gave. 

BOREAS, angered and wrathful 

That his love was returned but with fright. 
Seized on the imploring damsel 

And bore her away out of sight. 



[57] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

ANOTHER JUVENILE EFFORT (continued) 

EVER more where Favonius wanders 
He sighs and he sobs as he goes; 

Ever more from the north come the wailings 
And moanings of griefs and of woes. 

(1896.) 



[58] 



L. W. H. 



I 



WITH A GUITAR 

N the evening, when the twilight 
Brings the weary worid its rest, 

When the mystic moon grows brighter 
As the glow dies in the west, 

And the day-time shouts of laughter 
Slowly melt away, repressed — 

ON our divan here we nestle. 
Safe, alone, where none will seek. 

And we sing together softly 

Passion's songs, too deep to speak. 

While I feel her hallowed breathing, 
Warm and tender on my cheek. 

AH ! her voice is richly mellow, 
Lilting thus from bar to bar. 

Wondrously it calms and thrills me — 
Wafts my lifted soul afar 

On the wings of music, springing 
From the heart of my guitar. 

(1900.) 

[59] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



LAWRENCEVILLE 1900 CLASS ODE 

^"T^HE solemn hour of parting is at hand. 
"*■ We, who so long have formed this little 
band 
Of friends and classmates, gather in a 

throng 
With reverent hearts, to sing our farewell 
song. 

HERE, as we stand assembled heart to 

heart, 
E'en ere we know, the hour is gone — we 

part; 
And, when the echoes of our h5min are o'er, 
The Class of "Naughty-Naught" will be no 

more. 

WHEN these fond scenes have faded dim 

away 
And our school life is part of yesterday 

[60] 



L. W. H. 



LAWRENCEVILLE 1900 CLASS ODE (con- 
tinued) 

And we ourselves are scattered far and 

wide, 
Yet may the sacred memories abide. 

THOU God of love and friendship, through 

the past 
It was Thy care that made our friendship 

fast. 
Through four long years of mingled toil 

and play 
It was Thy hand which led us on our way. 

THESE scenes, these friends and comrades 
grown so dear 

We owe to Thee; be Thou forever near. 

Keep in our hearts the lessons Thou hast 
taught 

While we were still the sons of "Naughty- 
Naught." 

DEEP in our hearts through every good or 
ill, 

[61] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

LAWRENCEVILLE 1900 CLASS ODE (con- 
tinued) 

Be Thou, oh Lord, our guide and guardian 

still. 
That ever we, in word and deed and thought, 
Bring honor to the Class of "Naughty 

Naught." 

(1900.) 



[62] 



L. W. H. 



OLLA PODRIDA" DEDICATION 

HE time draws nigh that ends our school 
career; 
The last days are approaching, soon to 



Then would we leave this simple volume 
here 
To carry on the memory of our Class— 
A record of our work and of our play, 

A record of our cares and hopes and joys, 
And a memento when we're far away 
And Lawrenceville is shelt'ring other 
boys. 

THIS is its purpose. So, to each good 
friend 
Who loves The School and helps to 
spread its fame. 
To all the loyal fellows, who defend 
Its honor and who reverence its name, 

[63] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

•OLLA PODRIDA" (continued) 

To any who perchance some interest take 
In glancing through a book of school-boy 
lore — 
To each and all of you we dedicate 

And pray you open this and look it o'er. 

(1900.) 



[64] 



L. W. H. 



ON A GREEK CONDITION 

T TOW hard is the lot of a captive taken in 
"*■ '■■ war, 

Bound by chains to the rail of the triumph 

car. 
Choked with dust, dragged on with a jolt 
and a jar. 



I, TOO, am bound to a car by brazen chains. 

While Latin and Greek, grim drivers, fling 
out the reins. 

The car its pitiless, purposeless pace main- 
tains. 



TO left and right the river of knowledge 

gleams 
Limpid and bright, fed by a thousand 

streams 
That flow from the hill of thoughts through 

the vale of dreams. 
[65] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

ON A GREEK CONDITION (continued) 

THE deeds of the past in a turbulent tor- 
rent race ; 

The river of science sweeps on at an even 
pace; 

The golden ripples of fancy and fiction 
chase. 

"DRINK!" cries my burning throat, "ere 
the bank recedes." 

"Drink!" cries my soul; for truly the spirit 
bleeds — 

But the skeleton drivers lash their tireless 
steeds, 

And on, ever on, the classical car pro- 
ceeds. 

(1902.) 



[66] 



L. W. H. 



THE ELECT 

/^LUB hat-band waxing warmer, 
^^ His manner waxes cold ; 

And What's-his-name's not as he was 
In the brave days of old. 

(1902.) 



[67] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



PLATO VERSIFIED 



C AID Socrates to Charmides, 

"Do you believe in killing fleas?" 
Said Charmides, "Well that depends, 
I think, on whom the flea descends. 



IF upon a woman's lips, 

I'd kill it with my finger tips. 

If it lit upon her cheek. 

My eager lips the flea would seek. 

IF it lit on Plato's back, 
I'd kill it with a hearty smack. 
But if on Kritias it should light, 
I'd just sit still and watch it bite." 

SAID Kritias, "Do you speak aright 
In sa3nng you would let it bite? 
Suppose, then, having bitten me 
It straightway jumped across to thee.'' 

[68] 



L. W. H. 



PLATO VERSIFIED (continued) 

"BY Zeus," said Charmides, "there is 
Much truth in that remark of his; 
For, if from him to me it flew, 
I might be stung with meanness too/ 



HERE Kritias said to Socrates, 

When all had helped themselves to chairs, 
"You may believe in killing fleas, 

But I'm for splitting hairs. 

SO if you think it well, we'll sit 
And you will talk and I will chat. 

And, when you give me tat for tit, 
I'll give you tit for tat. 

TWO words may mean the same, but still 

(No matter what it spells) 
We'll twist each one around until 

They all mean something else." 



[69] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

PLATO VERSIFIED (continued) 

"I CARE not what I talk about," 

And Socrates was that,* 
"Most of the time I have no doubt 
I'm talking through my hat." 

AND this was Kritias,f "We are still ; 

Begin, I humbly pray ; 
Consider how the students will 

Make sense of what we say." 

(1904.) 

■] 6 de Tji' K 



[70] 



L. W. H. 



NARCISSUS (TO A HE-HEROINE) 



H 



ERE'S to the Mullah's Queen 
(How you'd like to hug her), 

Whose flaxen tresses serve to screen 
The fiery locks of "Slugger." 

HE loves her, I'd surmise. 

For again and again I've found him 
Gazing wistfully into her eyes. 

When nobody is around him. 

SHE seems to return his love — 
She's a very responsive creature; 

Since she imitates hurriedly every move 
He makes, to the turn of a feature. 

BUT the obstacles twixt the pair 
Grieve me, that this should be; 

For our friend can see her only where 
There's also a glass to see. 

[71] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



NARCISSUS (TO A HE-HEROINE) (continued) 



[P. 



S.] Dear F : I must make haste 

To add that youVe good taste. 

This little red-cheeked lass 

Would not break any glass. 

I'd also like to state 

That, were I "off the wagon," 

I'd break to her full many a glass — 

Nay, many a good sked flagon. 

(1903.) 



[72] 



L. W. H. 



ON A COURSE OF LECTURES 



T IKE the droning of the bee 

■^ Sounds the voice of old MacD- 



Through the long 

Quiet summer afternoon, 
In the balmy air of June- 

A ceaseless song. 



WITH his instruments surrounded, 
North, south, east and west all 
bounded. 
He can't be wrong; 

But we've really no idea 
Why we've got to linger here 
So deuced long. 

(1902.) 



[73] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



B 



"ODE" TO A FRIEND 

ILL TODD, you're the most good natured 

chap 

That ever sat on a woman's lap — 
But you probably never did, good Will, 
For if you had you'd be there still. 
You're so darned lazy I really think 
You wouldn't budge if the earth should sink. 
You'll never reach heavenly seats sublime ; 
The golden stairs are too much of a climb. 
Yet you've never done anything awfully bad. 
And I don't think you'd be damned if you 

had; 
And some fine day I suppose that you 
Will die, for want of better to do. 
Then whether you'll get to heaven or hell 
The Lord knows only, and He won't tell. 
But I hope that I'll be with you, Todd ; 
For you're one of the best that's made 

by God. 

(1902.) 

[74] 



L. W. H. 



D 



A FLIPPANT LETTER 

EAR K : Since all things have a time 

'Tis time I answered your epistle (nay 
'Tis rather late I fear, but you know I'm 

So busy) just received the other day. 
The fancy takes me to reply in rh3niie, 
Especially as I have naught to say, 
And when youVe naught to say you'll 

say it better 
In rhyme than in the more prosaic let- 
ter. 



I HAVE been reading gay Don Juan of late 
(Which may account for crookedness of 
metre) 
And think with Byron nothing is of great 
Account save pleasure, and what can be 
sweeter 



[75] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

A FLIPPANT LETTER (continued) 

Than to sit down and calmly contemplate 
The wall, the ceiling or the plain blank 
sheet or 
The blotter or penholder or the ink; 
Think and then write, then write a line 
and think. 



AND most of all when each meandering 
thought 
(Meandering is surely most poetic!) 
Calls to my fancy scenes with gladness 
fraught, 
Good times together, mirthful and athletic, 
All things that are in Hebe's high school 
taught. 

Your picture, K dear, (how I'd like 

to get it) 
Especially is engraven on my fancy, 
Which brings me to my point — I droole 
like Chauncey. 



[76] 



L. W. H. 



A FLIPPANT LETTER (continued) 

DO you remember standing up in stand "E," 
Wlien Princeton made her stand at old 
New Haven 
And kept the score a tie (you understand 
me) 
Amid a sea of faces (some unshaven)? 
We made a bet I think of Huyler's candy. 
I won ; but I fear candy like a craven. 
If any Huyler*s comes to my headquar- 
ters 
I'll straightway throw it in Carnegie's 
waters. 



SEA yet unseen! — not faces, but the same 

Carnegie Sea, I mean, and not the letter 

Which has the honor to begin his name — 

And surely could be doing nothing better, 
Since it will enter thus the Hall of Fame 
And half the theatres in New York will 
get a 
Large Carnegie C to grace the portal 
(Which is to make Andrew and us im- 
mortal !) 

[77] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

A FLIPPANT LETTER (continued) 

I WAS about to indite to it an ode 
When those bad puns so rudely inter- 
rupted — 
But, never mind, we will resume our road ; 
Take up the argument where we had 
dropped it. 
We were discussing candy and I showed 
By Huyler's I could never be corrupted. 
And now we've settled our hypothesis 
The proposition is about like this: 



THE code of honor orders "pay your bets" 
(Not debts, observe; for honorable peo- 
ple 
Quite often keep a reservoir of debts. 

Or pile them up as high as any steeple). 
But I O U's are very good assets, 
For at the start the gamester learns to 
keep all 
His tradesmen waiting, till he finds he's 

able 
To square his brothers of the gaming 
table. 

C78] 



L. W. H. 

A FLIPPANT LETTER (continued) 

ECONOMY, however, would deny 
The policy, indeed practicability. 
Demand must always balance with supply 

According to the best of its ability 
(So saith the law of Adam Smith — not I — 
And deviation is impossibility). 

Besides I'm sure no thinking person 

wishes 
To feed five pounds of Huyler's to the 
fishes. 

(1904.) 



[79] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



BETRAYED BY A DREAM 



T HAD a dream last night. I dreamt I saw 
■'■ Ten pretty girls behind a half closed door. 



MY heart beat high, hoping flirtatious fun. 
The ladies were approaching one by one. 

AS each one passed (the zest a dream can 

give 
Makes it a feeble thing to really live) — 

AS each one passed I kissed her on the lips 
With eager haste. — But, oh proverbial slips, 

EACH maiden was transmuted as she passed 
Into some "poler" sad — and You the last! 

(1903-) 



[So] 



L. W. H. 



w 



SUPPLANTED 

HEN an old friend wanders in 

And endeavors to begin 
A pleasant conversation, or amusing yam 

to spin. 
With a feeling of chagrin 
He is apt to find he's "in" ; 

For Kitty dear may disappear. 
What? 

How? 

Why? 

Wherefore? — 

"Lynn!" 



POOR friendship that has been. 
When you cannot even win 
One farewell word from Kitty, for she 
doesn't care a pin. 



[81] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

SUPPLANTED (continued) 

An excuse that's somewhat thin 
And a lifting of her chin ; 
Then a curt "Good day," and she runs 
away. 
Why? 

How? 

What? 

Wherefore? — 

"Lynn!" 
(1903.) 



[82] 



L. W. H. 



M 



ONE BATHING SUIT 

AN wants but little here below" 

And woman even less; 
For I have seen some bathing suits 

111 suited for a dress. 



OH, Mrs. Hansom's bathing suit ! 

Oh, wondrous scarlet frock! 
Enchanting dream of ill repute 

Staid morals for to shock ! 

OH, help me, Muse, to tell its charms, 

This dainty little shred. 
And Mrs. Hansom's snow-white arms 

Against a strip of red. 

THIS was no showy garb of state, 

As on the sands are set; 
The crowds were restless thro the wait 

Until the suit got wet. 

[83] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

ONE BATHING SUIT (continued) 

SHE took her seat upon the raft, 

The eager swarm around. 
All closely drawing up abaft 

To see she be not drowned. 

AND then — but, never mind, she swam 

And frolicked merrily. 
She didn't care one "royal damn" — 

How many, pray, cared we? 

E'EN every Sunday afternoon 
We drove six miles, to lave 

Our limbs and hear the gentle tune 
Of blue Peconic's wave. 

TO us the chapel bells were mute ; 

We hurried to the shore 
To see the famous bathing suit — 

And just a little more. 



[84] 



L. W. H. 



ONE BATHING SUIT (continued) 

BUT now the beach is desolate; 

Deserted is the bay ; 
For Mrs. Hansom's heartless mate 

Hath wafted her away. 

(1904.) 



[85] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIF 



TRANSLATION FROM TENNYSON 



p VENING or matinee star 
"*^ And a few "Scotch highs" for me ; 
And then the whiskey tenors of the bar, 
And a game with two or three. 



AND when the drink puts most of us to sleep, 

Too full for sound or foam, 
I'll venture out upon the tossing street — 

Turn again home. 

LAMPLIGHT and midnight bell. 

And after that the dark. 
I'll tell the blooming cops to "go to hell," 

At Central Park. 

AND, though from all idea of time and space 

My booze may bear me far, 
I still must meet my good wife face to 
face — 
When I have left the bar. 

(1901.) 
[86] 



L. W. H. 



A RASH BETROTHAL 



W 



HEN you two come to marry, 
You merry little sinner, 

You're going to have Harry 
Up every night to dinner? 

IF you think Jack jealous. 
You'll get another guess. 

By that time he'll be zealous- 
Ly engaged in rushing Bess. 

AS husband he will have to 
Buy your jewelry and skirts; 

But he'll start in running after 
Some other little flirts. 

AND you will merely tarry 

Till he has washed and dressed; 

Then telephone to Harry, 
Who will manage all the rest. 

[87] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

A RASH BETROTHAL (continued) 

AND, when your matrimony 

Hath run its little course, 
'Twill end in alimony, 

Dakota and divorce. 

THEN Harry and his "honey" 

Will occupy the house. 
You'll spend your Johnny's money 

Like a loyal little spouse. 

WHILE our hero, principally 

To show he doesn't care. 
Will watch some "pony ballet" 

Kicking punctures in the air. 

HE'LL gaze at "Peter Pouffles," 
He'll stare at "Piff" and "Paff," 

Slinging humour by canoe-fulls 
As he wonders when to laugh. 

WHILE the powdered "fairies" gambol, 
While the "comic artists" chat. 

His weary mind will ramble 
To the once romantic flat. 
[88] 



L. W. H. 



A RASH BETROTHAL (continued) 

THOUGH the eyes of beauty glisten, 
Though the smile of love attracts, 

He will inward turn and listen 
To sad mental cataracts. 



AND when "artistes'* quick, light-footed, 
By the foot-lights dance in glee. 

He, unseeing, will be rooted 
To the spot, like Niobe. 

TILL at last, with bearing placid 

And reporters standing nigh. 
He will drink carbolic acid. 

Crying, "Faithless, look! I die!" 

NOW, with all the woes I throw in, 

'Tis a certain observation 
That he'll go the road to ruin 

In despite of Carrie Nation. 

(1904.) 



[89] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



SANS GENE PHILOSOPHY 

OHOULD Fortune turn on fickle heel, 
*^ Her recent kindness changed to hate, 
I'd smile at Fortune, and await 
The revolution of her wheel. 

SHOULD riches vanish into air. 
Should comforts go and pleasures flee. 
And even grim Necessity 

Appear and lead in black despair, 

'TWOULD only nerve my comprehension 
To try how Fate is best beguiled. 
I'd put Necessity with child 

And make a virtue of Invention. 

AND, till the evil Fates forbear, 
I'd seek a less expensive haven 
And take to "Bull" instead of "Craven," 

With some degree of savoir faire. 

[90] 



L. W. H. 



SANS GENE PHILOSOPHY (continued) 

SHOULD friends desert when other woes 

And dire calamities beset me, 

I know of those who won't forget me — 
I still, at least, shall have my foes. 

SHOULD sickness come, my ills to double, 
Should suffering and disease attack, 
I think, while lying on my back, 

I*d keep from getting into trouble. 

AND as for death, imagination 

Can picture nothing worse than life. 
With sin and shame and sorrow rife; 

And death is but a new creation. 

I'D take a gambler's chance with Death. 

I'd play for double-quits with Fate. 

I might draw in a royal straight 
Flush. If I lose, what lose I?— Breath. 



[91] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

SANS GENE PHILOSOPHY (continued) 

THEN strike your hardest, black Despair. 

I have a mail you cannot pierce; 

And, though your blows be sharp and 
fierce, 
He will not flinch who does not care. 

BUT yet one thing is lacking still, 
But yet one thing I call to mind: 
Chloe, by all the gods, be kind, 

Chloe — one frown from you would kill! 

(1904.) 



[92] 



L. W. H. 



A SCENE AT THE KHAN 

[The Khan is an inn built up against the city wall, 
which rises high above it on the top of a steep 
incline, that sweeps down to a broad lake cov- 
ered on its margin by pond lilies. A broad, 
stone terrace in front overhangs the road by 
about ten feet and commands a fine view of 
the lake below and the mountains beyond. As 
it is night, little of this can be seen. Tables are 
placed on the terrace, which is strung with paper 
lanterns. 

Orthes, Carteros and Calandar a/re seated at a table 
drinking tokay from small glasses. They are 
dressed in hussar uniforms, booted and spurred. 
Other officers and some civilians are seated 
around at different tables, and, though it is late, 
one or two ladies, beautifully dressed, are 
present. Oneiradioches sits with the three hus- 
sars. He wears the native costume, a kilt of 
muslin with a short blue coat and a Homing 
sash. His hair, partly covered by a scarlet 
turban, is long, black and silky. His eyes are 
large and bright, but his expression is dreamy.] 

[93] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

A SCENE AT THE KHAN (continued) 

Oneiradioches 
Now 'tis the moon's prime halt — ^the hour is one. 
And all good souls in bed are buried deep 
And evil spirits have but just begun 
Their devious march. Hurrah ! let virtue sleep ! 
Myself an uncomplaining watch will keep 
Beside the flowing bowl. Fill up the glass! 
Calpe ! Leuca ! Mella ! Quick the bottle pass ! 

Orthes 
My nightingale, 'tis no fit hour for rhyme, 
Nor subtle disquisitions on the time! 
What think you of the fate of your three friends, 
Soon to be sacrificed to make amends 
For Aporos, Hubristes and the rest — 
Far from the gallant town of Eagle's Crest 
Far from the boulevards, the palace gay, 
Far from our houries and our warm tokay, 
Far from our pleasant talks and hours of ease 
Far from the wit of Oneiradioches. 

Oneiradioches 
Far from your gambling debts and tailor's bills, 
Far from your evening balls and morning drills. 
Far from your mistresses of yesterday 
And other ladies hard to disobey. 
[94] 



L. W. H. 



A SCENE AT THE KHAN (continued) 

Calandar 
And harder still perhaps to serve. But look! 
This is rank treason — We shall never brook 
To scorn a mistress present or unseen 
Here's to all mistresses and first the — 

Orthes 

Lean 
Forward a minute — You may just perceive — 
Hist! Not a word! Pseudes behind an eave! 
A narrow squeak! But quick, my friends, con- 
verse, 
He'll think our drinks have made us kine or 
worse^ — 

Oneiradioches 
Aha! The mighty shadow on the vail 
Proclaims our 

Calandar 
Orgo! 

Carteros 

Orgo hail! 

Orthes 

All hail! 

[Enter Orgo, a thick-set, powerful, pompous man, 
with face much bloated by wine and passion.] 
[95] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



A SCENE AT THE KHAN (continued) 

Orgo 
Good evening all. Good drinking! But allow 
A moment please to me and business. How 
Pray do you youngsters think to meet the day 
In readiness for marching — Talk! tokay! 
What do you think? Does that make beef and 



eye 



Help you to march, to shoot, to charge, to die? 
Gentlemen! Gentlemen! I have called the 

guards 
As my last battlement, my final cards. 
To show this loud plebeian mob a trick. 
To put them to the turnabout and quick. 
I expect every man to be a score 
And every officer a dozen more. 
Our regiments of line will never fight 
Unless you show the way. The vicious bite 
Of hydrophobiac democracy 
Has gotten in their blood most damnably — 
I'd like to hang the swine. An hour ago 
I met a sergeant who saluted — so. 

[Puts his hand to his nose.] 

I sliced his head. He got away. But hark! 
The miserable hounds are full of bark! 

[96] 



L. W. H. 



A SCENE AT THE KHAN (continued) 

Sick to the core with treachery. In fine 
Only we Huns can keep them into line — 
So I rely on you, ye understand, 
To pay the piper and to act the band. 

[He stops for a moment and notices Oneira- 
dioches, who is sipping tokay and gazing at 
the stars.] 

Poets forsooth! and tokay! Get a knave 
To make you virtuous, and a rabbit brave! 

Oneiradioches 

[As if dreaming.] 

Oh! woe is me! the champions of the crown 

From general have descended unto clown. 

Oh ! let a satyr preach you temperance 

And get an ass to quote you common sense, 

Or ask your wives to teach you to be mute 

And from a sergeant learn the new salute — 

[Orgo gets up and stares at the poet glowering.] 

Orgo 

Do you mean me? 

Oneiradioches 
[Flicking an ash off his cigarette.] 

The illustration's apt — 

I'm glad you see it. 

Orgo 

[In a bellowing voice.] 

Hound! I should have you strapped! 
[97] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



A SCENE AT THE KHAN (continued) 

[Draws his sword and throws himself on the poet, 
who, springing up, deftly parries the blow with 
a table knife and trips the hero with his chair. 
Orthes and Calandar seize Oneiradioches and 
hustle him off by main force, while Carteros 
helps up the general somewhat dazed and mops 
off a cut over his eye with a handkerchief.] 

Orgo 
Where is he? Where? Where? 

Orthes 

He*s fled, my lord. 

Orgo 
Fled! has the cur? By my unerring sword 
I'll see him hung for this ! For better men 
Than he have felt my wrath for less. 

Orthes 

What then. 

My lord? He's but a peasant. You never 

could 

Imbue your sabre thus in peasant's blood — 

Orgo 
True! true! my noble friend. I'll have him 

hung 
Tomorrow ere the vesper h3min is sung! 
I thank you noble friend that you did save 
This sword from digging thus a peasant's 
grave — 

[98] 



L. W. H. 



A SCENE AT THE KHAN (continued) 

And ere we leave I'll sip with you a drink — 

And ere you sleep on my advisements think — 

Will you, my friend? 

[He sits down stiffly.] 

Orthes 

Aye! that I will, my lord 

I think our present fortunes do afford 

Some room for thought. 

[Orthes calls for drinks which are finally brought 
by Calpe, a very tired girl.] 



(1908. Unfinished.) 



[99] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS 

Mother of the Aeneadai, thou bright 
Fostering Venus, gods' and men's delight! 

'Neath gliding constellations of the 

Invocation • i , 

to Venus nignt, 

and Dedi- ,^, , , , , 

cation to Thou dost oervade and permeate the 

Memnius. ^ *^ 

main, 
Ship-laden, and the fruit-producing plain; 
Since all things animate through thee alone 
Are bom to view the splendor of the sun. 
The winds disperse before thee and the clouds 
Fly at thy advent, goddess. Earth enshrouds 
Herself for thee with all her fairest flowers; 
The waves of ocean smile, and heaven pours 
Its radiant light. Soon as the vernal day 
Appears and loosened breaths of Zephyr play, 
Then, by thy power smitten to the heart. 
Aerial birds thy tidings first impart. 
Then frenzied herds o'er smiling meadows 

swarm 
And swim the rapid streams. Bound by thy 

charm 

[lOO] 



L. W. H. 

BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

They follow thee where'er thy guidance leads, 
Far over mountains, lakes, and verdant meads. 
Through tangled haunts of birds and torrents 

wild. 
Impelled by thee, with warm desire beguiled. 
Alluring love instilled in every mind. 
They propagate their races each in kind. 

Since o'er this scheme of things thou bearest 

sway — 
Without thee nothing sees the light of day. 
Without thee nothing glad or fair can be — 
Then as my sole companion I choose thee 
In weaving of these verses I design 
To pen for Memniades, thine and mine, 
Whom thou hast willed, oh goddess, to excel, 
Honored in all things, and all times as well. 
Then o'er my song, divine one, cast a spell 
Of charm eternal. Meanwhile lull to sleep 
The savage works of war o'er land and deep. 
For only thou canst bless with peace; since 

Mars 
Strongarmed, who rules the savage work of 

wars, 

[lOl] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

Full often casts himself upon thy breast, 
By passion's never-healing wound oppressed. 
Then gazing up with comely head supine, 
His greedy glances, goddess, feed on thine. 
Drinking deep draughts of love from thee, his 

breath 
Hangs on thy lips. Then, as he lies within 
Thy bosom, goddess, clasping him about 
With thy adorable embrace, pour out 
Eloquent words beguiling him to peace 
Towards Romans; since in troubled times like 

these 
We may not work light-hearted, nor can steal 
The race of Memnius from the public weal. 
For what remains give heed with open ear 
Definition ^^^ mind attentive, freed from every 
of Atoms. care; 

Lest thou despise the gifts my careful thought 
Shall lay before thee ere their drift is caught. 
For thy sake I am ready to debate 
Upon the loftiest problems — on the state 
Of heaven and of the gods; and I shall show 
The primordial elements and how 
Nature from these all things creates, evolves, 
[102] 



L. W. H. 



BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

Combines, and back to these again dissolves 
Things that are ruined. These it is agreed. 
Defining them, to designate as seed 
Of things, or bodies generating one 
Great whole or matter, and to build upon 
As primal atoms, whence all things are spun. 
Victory When human life lay shamefully 

Season prostrate. 

Religion. Crushed to the earth beneath Reli- 

Democ- 

'^"'^s- gion's weight. 

Who raised her head o'er heaven's celestial 



screen. 
Glowering on mortals with a hideous mien, 
A man of Greece first dared his eyes to raise 
Against her and combat her, face to face. 
Him neither thunderbolt nor idle vaunt 
Of gods nor heaven with threat'ning roar could 

daunt; 
But fanned the eager purpose of his mind. 
That he should first create the bars that bind 
The gates of nature. Hence his vig'rous force 
Of spirit conquered, and he shaped his course 
Beyond the flaming bulwarks of the world. 
Far through the mighty universe he hurled 
[ 103 ] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

His intellect; and thence triumphantly 
Returned to tell what can, what cannot be, 
With what fixed power each thing is possessed 
And where it terminates. From then, oppressed 
In turn. Religion under foot is trod. 
His conquest makes us equal unto God. 

I fear lest you may think to enter in 
Sec? of Unholy realms of doubt and paths of 

Beli^on. f,:^ . 

Sacrifice ^*" > 

iphigenia. Whereas this same Religion many 

times 
Has caused what dreadful, what revolting 

crimes ! 
In Aulis once the Grecian lords, dismayed. 
By what fell compact horribly obeyed, 
Besmeared the altars of the Trivian maid 
With Iphianassa*s blood? When round her 

brow 
Ribbons were bound, on each cheek falling low, 
And when she saw her wretched father stand 
Before the altars, with the priests at hand, 
Hiding the knife, and all her countrymen 
Dissolved in weeping at her aspect, then 
Upon her knees she fell in speechless dread. 

[104] 



L. W. H. 



BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

Nor did it aught avail the hapless maid 
At such an hour, that she was first to bring 
The sacred name of father to the King. 
For to the altars trembling she is borne 
By arms of strangers, not as on that morn 
When, after the accustomed ties are boimd 
With sacred rites, hymeneal hymns resound; 
But, with the very age of marriage nigh. 
This unstained maid, a victim stained must die ; 
And from her father's hand the stroke endures. 
This to the fleet a prosperous sail ensures ! 
To such an act Religion then conjures. 
Religion^ Even thyself will slip from us I fear, 

of°future Conquered by awe-struck visions of 

punisli- .1 

ment. the seer. 

How many fables can these men devise 

To blind our modes of life with phantasies. 

And thus confuse thy fortunes! Rightly so; 

For, if men saw a certain end below 

To ills eternal, then with prudence could 

They meet the scruples of this brotherhood. 

But now there is no motive, there's no power 

To think, if endless torment is death's dower. 

For the soul's nature is unknown on earth; 



[105] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

Whether 'tis bom, or finds us at our 

strange Ui-^U . 

ideas of Dirtn ; 

the soul 

Invented Whether it dies with us, or yet for- 

by poets. ■' 

sakes 
The corpse to seek the darkness and vast lakes 
Of Orcus, or in supernatural ways 
Enters the various beasts, as Ennius says — 
Our Ennius who was first to bear a crown 
From lovely Helycon and win renown 
Among Italian races. He foretells 
Besides this Acherusian citadels. 
Describing them in words which will not die. 
Neither our souls nor bodies dwell thereby, 
But only shadows wonderfully pale. 
The ghost of Homer rises on the gale. 
Still flourishing and shedding briny tears. 
Describes to us the nature of the spheres. 

However, as to things above, 'twere 

Plan of V . 

the Dis- best, 

cusBlon. , , , 

When we have found the laws at 
whose behest 
The sun and moon upon their circles turn. 
And how things grow on earth, then shall we 
learn 

[io6] 



L. W. H. 



BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

Of the soul's nature, with sagacious thought, 
And of the shapes which, mystically brought 
Before us when awake, alarm the mind 
As though diseased, and, when in sleep confined. 
It seems we did encounter face to face 
Those whom the earth holds locked in her em- 
brace. 
'Tis hard I know in Latin verse to speak 
The subtle disquisitions of the Greek; 
Since many things in novel terms must be 
Discussed, because of this tongue's poverty 
And strangeness of the subject. But the force 
Of thy deserts and friendly intercourse 
Constrain me every toil to undergo. 
Lead me to watch the serene starlight through. 
Seeking what verses and what words may cast 
Before thy mind the clearest ray at last, 
That these deep mysteries thou mayest survey. 
Pirst Not the sun's light nor brilliant 

Nothing ' shafts of day 

je made Must scattcr the soul's fears and over- 

from 

nothing. q^q 

The shadows; but the aspect and the law 
Of nature. This first principle is laid 
[107] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

Before us — nothing ever can be made 
From nothing by celestial agency. 
Such is the terror grasps men when they see 
Strange things performed in ocean, sky, and 

land, 
Whose causes they by no means understand. 
That they resort to heavenly influence. 
Thus, when we see that nothing can commence 
From nothing, then the goal we contemplate 
Is rightly sought — how things may generate 
And how, without the gods, they operate. 
,Au For, if from nothing an57thing was 

woiud te made, 

produced 

an'jmiiii Then from all sorts of things would be 

'hf£' conveyed 

proper All spccics; nothing would require 

seed. 

seed. 
Men might arise from ocean; land might breed 
Scale-bearing fish, and the whole race of birds 
Burst forth from heaven; the domestic herds. 
As well as all wild animals that roam. 
Would indiscriminately make their home 
In desert or in cultivated ground; 
Not on the same tree would like fruits be found ; 

[io8] 



L. W. H. 

BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

But they would change, and every kind could 

bring 
Forth every other. If for everything 
There were not generating bodies, how 
Could all things then a definite mother know? 
Now, since all things are bom from definite seed, 
Then each is born and comes to light indeed 
From that in which its own material lies, 
And its original atoms. In no wise 
Can ever5^hing from all things be produced; 
Because the hidden power is infused 

In special things. Why do we see the 
could Spring 

arrive __ , .. « « 

in any Pour out her roses, and the Summer 



bring 
Her com, and vines at Autumn's call appear. 
If not that, in th' appointed time of year 
When the especial seeds together flow. 
Whatever is created then must grow 
During its season? Animated earth 
Meanwhile to all her tender shoots gives birth 
And safely bears them to the shores of day. 
But, were things out of nothing made, straight- 
way 

[109] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

At unfixed intervals would they arrive 
And easily in alien seasons thrive ; 
Since elemental parts would not remain, 
Which unpropitious seasons could restrain 

From fertilizing concourse; nor be 
would need 

not need 

time to Of time for things developing from 

seed, 
If they could grow from nothing. Infants then 
Would unexpectedly appear as men. 
And trees from earth leap suddenly to view. 
'Tis manifest that no such thing is true, 
But things develop slowly as is meet. 
From definite seed and growing they repeat 
Their species. So you must observe 

JKm^na that thesC 

e^gji^ned Upon their own material increase; 

mentary 

atoma. And thus it happens that, unsoaked by 

rains, 
At certain intervals the earth refrains 
From yielding joyous progeny, nor yet 
Can animal life deprived of food beget 
Its kind or keep existence. Better far 
You may suppose that many bodies are 
[no] 



L. W. H. 



BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

Common to many things, as we perceive 
Letters in different words, than to believe 
That things without such elements exist. 
Why then does nature constantly resist 
Moulding such men as could, with giant tread, 
Traverse the sea, rend mountains from their bed. 
And outlive centuries, if not because 
Matter, in breeding things, has settled laws 
And what can rise from each is definite? 
Nothing from nothing comes, we must admit. 
Since things require seed before they fare 
Forth to the spacious realms of light and air. 
Finally, since we see the nurtured field 
Excel the waste and finer produce yield, 
*Tis clear that in the earth are elements 
Which, when we labor in the soil, commence 
To struggle toward their being. But, if they 
Did not exist, in some spontaneous way 
The earth more splendid garments would dis- 
play. 

Second Nature, moreover, everything trans- 

Argument: la+iao 

Kothing lateS 

reduced To elements, but ne'er annihilates 

to 

nothing. An3^hing. If mortality should lie 
[III] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

In all its parts, then suddenly 'twould 

Things die 

would "^*^ 

vaS^'^ Before our eyes, and vanish into air; 
decay. Since there would need no forces to 

prepare 
The loosening of its parts, or to dissolve 
Their bonds. As all created things evolve 
From seed eternal, nature will allow 
The ruin of no single thing to show. 
Until some force shall meet and dissipate 
With impact, or mid voids shall penetrate 
And so dissolve it. Everything again 
That time through age removes as seasons wane, 
Au If time destroyed them sudden and 

matter 

would devoured 

have 

long ago Their whole material, whence hath 

des^ro^ed, y^^^^ poured 

eternal. The race of animals renewed by birth 
Each in its species? How doth artful earth 
Nourish and still augment the constant brood, 
Off 'ring to each in kind its proper food? 
How have extraneous streams from far and wide, 
And his own native founts, the sea supplied? 
How doth broad ether feed the star in space? 

[112] 



L. W. H. 



BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

For infinite time gone by and lapse of days 
Must have consumed all things of mortal mould. 
But did this space of bygone ages hold 
Bodies from which the universe is spun, 
Then these must be eternal, and not one 
Reverts to nothing. The same cause and power 
Indeed, would indiscriminate devour 
All things, unless eternal substances 
Composed them, bound together more or less. 
A touch, forsooth, would easily suffice 
To kill; since any force must break the ties 
Of bodies where no deathless matter lies. 
The III f^ct, because the bonds of atoms 

destruc- >, . , 

tion of tWlXt 

one 

thing Each other are unlike, their matter 

restores 

another. fi^ed, 

Bodies remain unharmed until they reach 
A force found sharp enough to sever each 
According to their textures. Therefore aught 
Is never actually brought to naught, 
But on its dissolution turns again 
To particles of matter. Lastly, rain. 
When father Ether pours it in the lap 
Of mother Earth, will vanish; and the sap 
[113] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

BOOK FIRST OF LUCRETIUS (continued) 

Swells in the ripe fruit, verdant turns the bough 
Upon the tree, and this itself will grow 
Laden with offspring. Hence the race of man 
And that of beasts is nourished; hence we scan 
Glad cities, teeming with their youthful herds, 
And leafy woods that sing with new fledged 

birds; 
Hence cattle, lazy with their fat, delight 
To lie in pleasant pastures, while the white 
And milky stream from bursting udders drips; 
Hence a new progeny with weak limbs skips 
And frolics in the grass, their young hearts 

buoyed 
By the pure milk. These things are not de- 
stroyed, 
Even though it seem so. Nature will refit 
One from another, and will not permit 
Anything to be bom, except the death 
Of something else its substance shall bequeath. 

(1913-) 



[114] 



L. W. H. 



AN ODE OF HORACE 

OEPTIMIUS, to Gades let us roam 
^ Or yet Cantabria, untaught to bear 

Our yoke, or yet the savage Syrtes, where 
Thunders the Moorish foam. 

MAY Tibur, reared by Argive pilgrims, be 
The final couch of my declining age. 
The end of weariness, the closing page 

Of travel, strife and sea. 

FROM there, if an unkindly fate restrains. 
Well seek the valley of Galesus, rich 
In fleecy flocks and fertile fields, o'er which 

Spartan Phalanthus reigns. 

THAT comer of the earth smiles more se- 
rene 
Than all the rest to me, whose honey 

passes 
That of Hymettus and whose grape out- 
classes 
That of Venafrius green; 
[115] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

AN ODE OF HORACE (continued) 

WHERE the wild climate to long spring 
inclines 
And winters calm; where Aulon rests 

at peace 
With fruitful Bacchus and his quarrels 
cease 
With the Falemian vines. 



THAT blessed spot, those blessed vales and 
meres 
Are calling thee and me. There shall you 

blend 
The glowing ashes of your poet friend 
With well earned tears. 

(1902.) 



[116] 



L. W. H. 



FROM THE ANACREONTICS 

A NACREON, the Teian, 
■*-^ Melodious bard, 

Perceiving me to be in 

A slumber, came toward 
Mine eyes — a vision sweet addressing. 
I ran to clasp him, close caressing. 



THOUGH old, yet still divine, 

Lovely and loving — 
His lips were breathing wine. 

As ever-roving 
Eros held his hand, to guide him. 
And tingled while he marched beside him. 



HE gave from off his brow 
The wreath, which crowned it. 

To me. With many a vow 
And prayer I bound it, 

["73 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



FROM THE ANACREONTICS (continued) 

Abashed and blushing, round my own; 
And it was fragrant of Anacreon. 



FROM then till now I've never tried to roam 
Apart from Love, his follower become. 

(1912.) 



[118] 



L. W. H. 



AFTER SOPHOCLES 

/^ENTLE Zephyr, 
^^ Bring me ease ; 

Fan my eyelids drowsy in thy breeze; 
Fan my wandering soul to Morpheus, 
Slowly slipping from the grasp 
Of thought and sinking in thy clasp. 
O Zephyr, lead me by the hand 
Into the realms of dreamy wonderland. 



LEAD me. Zephyr, 

Where the maidens play. 

Bathing their milk-white feet from day 
to day. 
Wringing their golden hair 
Into the ripples of Pactolus, where 

Medean slaves in m5nriads stand. 

To sift from it the ever shining sand. 



C"9] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

AFTER SOPHOCLES (continued) 

LEAD me, Zephyr, to the marble cave 
Where Hathor sits in beauty o'er her 

grave; 
And from her breast 
Flows wine, and he who drinks may never 

rest; 
But straying listlessly from shore to shore. 
Whatever gained, be ever wanting more; 
And every continent his shadow haunts 
And vaguely wanting, knows not what he 

wants. 
Until he reach beyond the eastern pale — 
Then the dawn goddess lifts for him her veil, 
And then, the wizards say, a moment's bliss 
Consumes him in the fire of her kiss. 

(1903.) 



[120] 



L. W. H. 



D 



A LETTER HOME 

EAR MAMA— 'Tis brightly cold and clear 
to-day; 

The sunbeams glisten on the snow, 
Like happy thoughts that dance and play 

Upon the joyful heart, and throw 
Greetings to all, but most to thee. 
This day of thy nativity. 

FOR Winter on the threshold stands 
And seems to linger with a smile ; 

And Spring with Winter joineth hands 
And bids him bide a little while. 

Our thoughts, like carrier pigeons, roam 

Homewards. How bright to-day is Home! 

BUT nature is not always fair; 

The clouds descend, the showers come — 
The dull monotony of care, 

The daily toils, that chill and numb 
The senses and the spirit bind. 
To put a polish on the mind. 

[121] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 

A LETTER HOME (continued) 

TO struggle on through cold and gloom, 
To struggle oft without success; 

And if success come — shared with whom? 
How like an endless wilderness ! 

And yet amid the burning sand 

Doth Home her genial arms extend. 



WHEN danger, like a brazen bell, 
Breaks out upon the chimes of peace, 

The pulses beat, the spirits swell. 

And scatter comforts, health, and ease; 

Or risking name, instead of life, 

Mix in the great financial strife, 



WHERE mighty minds meet thought with 
thought. 

And all depends on nerve and brain, 
And every energy is taut. 

Nature rebels against the strain; 
Like vessels on the sea, distressed. 
Men homeward turn again for rest. 

[122] 



L. W. H. 



A LETTER HOME (continued) 

COME gain, come loss, come good, come ill ; 

One ever follows close the other; 
But Home, unchanged, awaits me still. 

And you await me still, my Mother. 
Now unto you all blessings be 
This day of your nativity. 

(1902.) 



[123] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



T 



AS SUNSET DIES 

HE blood-red sunset is fading low 

In the western sky. 
Lo! even so the encarmined glow 

Of thy cheeks must die. 

THE last light gleams on the silvery streams 

With the waning day. 
Thy soft eyes shine with a light divine — 

It will pass away. 

THE sunbeams tinge with a golden fringe 

The clouds, that chase 
O'er the horizon. The lock that lies on 

Thy gentle face — 

FANNED by the air, its wisps of hair 

Are all golden now — 
Soon shall be white, like the pale moonlight 

On the mountain's brow. 

[124] 



L. W. H. 

AS SUNSET DIES (continued) 

HOW shall we part, dear heart, dear heart ! 

For the night steals on. 
To-morrow thou shalt not be as now, 

But a spectre wan. 

ONLY the ghost of a beauty lost. 

With its faded charms. 
Oh, better to lie down here and die 

In each other's arms! 



THEN quick! Thy lip, ere the moment 
slip! 

Oh, a thousand hours 
Of love and bliss into one last kiss. 

While the time is ours. 

DEPARTING day shall sweep us away 

O'er the shelving brink; 
But now our eyes behold paradise. 

And we will not think. 

(1904.) 



[125] 



VERSES OF A SHORT LIFE 



T 



THALASSA 

ELL me not of Hell. 

The meadow brook glides past 
Through shady glade and sunny dell ; 
The Amazon plods along as well 

In the gloom of a dark contrast. 
And over the rocks and cliffs, pell mell, 
The torrent hurtles; but, strange to tell, 

All come to the sea at last. 

(1901.) 



[126] 



L. W. H. 



An edition of five hundred 
copies published for private 
circulation by GEORGE 
H. DORAN COMPANY 
New York MCMXIV 



[127] 



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